Wangaratta ‘cannot afford to lose’ saleyards industry

Councillors are yet to officially be sworn in, but have already started receiving emails from the public about problems which require fixing.

At least two councillors-elect have been contacted to review the rural strategy, setting out how land can be developed, after it was adopted by administrators in October.

Dean Rees said some residents felt the decision was made without a meeting they were promised, to consult on the plan, and he committed to look into whether it could be revisited.

While not as controversial as the 2012 strategy, which kick-started Wangaratta residents’ anger with their council, the recent decision was still met with a cry of “what a joke” from the public gallery.

The early days of the new council might also be spent looking back at other calls made by the administrators.

A 1.8-metre, or in some cases 1.5m, “pedestrian zone” in the CBD – restricting the way shops could display signage, stock and tables outside buildings – was passed in August.

Mr Rees said some businesses did go over the top with signage, but did not want Wangaratta to look dead, so he was willing to address shopkeepers’ anger.

“I understand people’s attitude towards it,” he said.

New decisions on how to start implementing the CBD masterplan and how to use the old Ovens College site would also be on the agenda.